Acuity 4(1), 1-9

Comparative Study: Enhancing Students’ Reading Comprehension Ability

through Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha and Student Teams Achievement
Division (STAD) Learning Models

Ezra Noviyanti Pandiangan

Tiga Penuai Montessori Preschool
ezranoviyantipandiangan@gmail.com

Abstract
Cooperative learning is considered to be effective to enhance students’ English skills. This study
utilizes two learning models under cooperative learning: Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha and Student
Teams Achievement Division (STAD). This study aims to find out whether there is a significant
difference between those two learning models in enhancing students’ reading comprehension
ability. The instrument of this study is the reading test which was piloted before distributing it to
the actual respondents. The results of this study show that after comparing the two learning models,
there is a significant difference in students' reading comprehension ability. Additionally, in this
study, the author seeks respondents' response towards both learning models and it is found that the
respondents' response falls under really like category; which means, they really like the two
learnings models to be utilized in the classroom to enhance their reading comprehension ability.
Keywords: Reading Comprehension Ability, Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha, STAD, Cooperative
Learning models.

Introduction
This study focuses on increasing English learners' reading comprehension ability. Therefore the
researcher conducted a comparative study with a purpose to compare two learning models: Ing
Ngarsa Sung Tuladha and Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) to enhance students
reading comprehension ability. Burns and Richards (2012) stated that reading provides the
foundation of successful language and academic learning. Additionally, Assaly and Smadi (2015)
said that reading is a basic knowledge thus learners should enhance their reading comprehension
ability because comprehension is a core of the teaching-learning process. Moreover, Duke and
Pearson (2001) stated that in order to become good readers, learners should be able to gain
information about what they read and be able to make a prediction about what the reading is all
about.
This study is conducted due to the issues that some English learners have a low level of ability in
comprehending texts their read, integrating text information, and constructing ideas on the
written text. Reading comprehension actually depends on how the readers are able to cover the
text rapidly without losing the senses of what they read (Djamal et.al. (2006). Therefore the
problem that occurs in reading is that English learners tend to focus on the word accuracy instead
of understanding what they read (Assaly and Smadi, 2015). They lack identifying the concepts
and selecting the main ideas of the passages; wherein, to comprehend a text, learners must have
 Acuity 4(1), 1-9

broad learning concept (Khusniyah and Lustyantie, 2017). Moreover, when a learner consider a
text is hard to comprehend and it does not suit them, gradually they will lose interest in reading
(Lestari, 2014). Therefore, as Indonesian students have already encountered problems with reading
comprehension in Indonesian, the language that they’ve acquired and learned, they also find it way more
difficult to read and comprehend reading in English, the foreign language that they do not acquire and
learn it barely for a short time ( Siagian & Katemba, 2016). “Usually students face many problems in
reading text. For example: difficult words, comprehension of sentences, how to read the word or sentence
correctly, and etc. In reading class, most of the reading activities are focused on reading for
comprehension”. (Katemba, C., Samuel. 2017).

In order to assist English learners not losing interest in reading and enhance their reading
comprehension ability, the researcher decided to compare two learning models: Ing Ngarsa Sung
Tuladha and STAD. These two models are under cooperative learning. The concept of Ing Ngarsa
Sung Tuladha learning model is to choose a leader to help, guide and direct their group members
to achieve certain indicators. The proponent of this theory is Ki Hadjar Dewantara, a well-known
father of education. He emphasized Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha carries humanism concept, wherein
through education, a leader is born. Mujito (2014) stated Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha has cooperative
leadership concept which requires a group to have the leader. Meanwhile, STAD learning model
was founded by Slavin (1995) and his partners, this learning model has similarity to Ing Ngarsa
Sung Tuladha learning model, wherein students learn cooperatively with their group. Katemba and
Sitompul (2018) stated that STAD is the role model of cooperative learning and the simplest
learning model. According to Karaçöp (2016), STAD has been used and proven in enhancing
students' achievement in various subjects such as language, art, math and many more. The score
is not taken by personal intelligent itself, but also on how they can work on a team and motivate
each other to achieve the target. Based on the purpose of the study and the problem stated, the
following research questions were raised: (1) What is the achievement of students who were taught
using Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha and those who were taught using STAD? (2) Is there any
significant difference between students who were taught using Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha and those
who were taught using STAD? (3) What is the response of the students after being treated?

Relevant Literature
Reading is central of teaching-learning and it can be enjoyable and inspiring when a written
message is able to understand because text can give a different perspective and create students'
imagination (Khusniyah and Lustyantie, 2010). Yusuf, Natsir, and Hanum (2015) said that reading
is a skill to understand the content of the text and expand the reader's knowledge. The teacher
should create a creative way to be able to teach the students and make sure they reach the learning
objectives. To become good readers, students not only must good in vocabulary but also, they
should be able to understand unfamiliar words, get a piece of information, through combining the
information that they get from the text and their knowledge of what they have read (Juliana, 2018).
Forgan (1989) mentioned that there are nine teacher's responsibilities in order to teach reading: 1)
Selecting materials (include the content, aids available for students, and the readability), 2)
Matching materials to students, 3) Differentiating reading assignments, 4) Teaching specialized
vocabulary, 5) Helping students comprehend printed text, 6) Teaching study strategies, 7) Helping
students pronounce difficult words, 8) Motivating reluctant readers, and 9) Helping problem
readers. On the other hand, the teacher should remember, that students enhance their knowledge
of vocabularies in order to help them to read and understand the meaning of the words that they
found (Zhong, 2012).
 Acuity 4(1), 1-9

Many studies have been conducted to increase learners’ reading comprehension ability due to
reading challenges that English learners often encounter. Sase (2014) stated that reading
comprehension is a difficult process because it involves various factors such as word choice,
reading fluency, a particular culture, and familiarity with the topic. Mikulecky (1990) added that
most cases found that academic students tried to make sense of what they read, but actually the
purpose of reading should avoid non-meaningful reading. Nurie (2017) said that the other
difficulty that academic students face is they have underprepared for reading demands and lack of
literacy skills. Furthermore, Rubin (1985) said that even though students have good habits on
learning, but if they lack concentration, it becomes an obstacle for them such as, not feeling well,
hungry, tired, the situation is not supported you to read and etc. He also suggested the readers make
sure that the text that they read are organized and not jumping from one idea to another idea. In
this research study, the researcher used two (2) cooperative learning models that hopes can help
the students to enhance their reading comprehension ability, they are: Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha
and STAD

Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha Learning Model

Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha was founded by Ki Hajar Dewantara, well-known as a father of
education. Ki Hajar Dewantara emphasized that education is not just about the cognitive skills, but
also on how the students may reach their perfections in their life with an order and peace method.
Humanism education is important because through humanism education, help to develop human
with strong character to expand their existence and build up themselves. According to Mustaqim
(2006), human's potential should be conducted to develop their intellectual, have a certain
character and enhance their ability to be used on their environment. He said that the problem in
this country is the measurement for the successful education only through the intellectual skill and
almost never take attention from the other aspect.

Syaikhudin (2012) states that Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha itself has a meaning: Ing Ngarsa: in front
of; Sung: “Ingsung”: me; Tuladha: model, example. Therefore, those meanings are "I should
become a model". Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha learning model is a model that ask the students to
work in a group with a leader (called as Tuladha) to guide and direct them to the purpose of the
study. The concept of this learning model is to train the students to be a good leader, be responsible
for their job and as a role model for their environment. The leader that will be chosen should be
able to be a leader for themselves because a man who cannot lead themselves, cannot lead others
and the worst is they just be used of other for their importance only. Lead ourselves means having
a purpose of what is to be reached (Qomaruzzaman, 2011). Leadership itself has a meaning as a
process to guide, create something, influence the members and find out the way to create
something. The emotional of the leader can affect their members, that is why a leader should be
able to aware of their emotion, manage the emotion and feeling, motivate themselves, knowing
others’ emotions and manage a relationship with the members (Wartono, 2013).

Leadership ability may improve their social shrewdness. A good leader is a person who can think
of others first, rather than think of themselves and be ready to listen of critics from others to make
them be a better one (Suyono, 2007). This leadership model providing the model and the function
of taking care of others that expected to enhance students' achievement. This model needs a leader
as a model so that the teaching-learning process can be successful. The leader should be able to
 Acuity 4(1), 1-9

empower their members by letting each of them represent their opinion. The leader will be chosen
by the questionnaire that includes IQ and EQ that will be given by the teacher, so cognitive skills
not the one and only requirement.

Student Teams Achievement Division (STAD) Learning Model

Cooperative learning model, according to Khan and Inamullah (2011) is a method used by the
educators that help students to develop their social skill. Cooperative learning has many types, one
of them is STAD (Student Teams Achievement Division). STAD is good interaction among
students and helps them to improve their positive attitude through subjects. STAD is the oldest
cooperative learning model according to Slavin (cited in Lalihatu, 2012). STAD helps students
achieve their goals of learning, build positive attitudes and social interaction (Wyk, 2012).
According to Tiantong and Teeemuangsai (2013), STAD is a collaborative study which small
groups that consist of different ability level and learn together to reach the learning goals, where
the teacher presents the lessons and the group work together and make sure that all members
understand the topic. The supporting statement was given by Yusuf, Natsir, and Hanum (2015) by
saying that STAD is a learning model that ask the students to share the information they have and
take responsibility on their tasks and is able to improve their motivation on learning so that their
achievement on learning will be improved.

Furthermore, Al-Munawwarah (2013) said that STAD helps students practice actively what will
they learned and able to solve a problem in text comprehension, since they want to follow teacher's
instruction and participate confidently. Lestari and Yudhanegara (2017) stated that STAD is a
cooperative learning model through group work study, that stands for around 4-5 persons in each
group. Then, each group will consist from the slower and faster learner. There are four procedures
to do STAD learning model, first, make a group stands for 4-5 person each group. Second, give
10 seconds for each group to choose their group's name (the name of the group should have a
relation with English). Third, give tasks and answer sheet to each group. Last, guide the students
to work together as a group.

Methodology
This is a quantitative study, utilizing comparative research design. It involves two learning models
to be compared. The population of this study is seventh graders from all schools in West Bandung
Regency and the samples of this study were taken from SMPN 5, Lembang. The respondents were
divided into two classes: Class VII C and VII E. Class C were treated using STAD learning model
meanwhile Class VII E was treated using Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha. The researcher conducted this
study from October to November 2018. Each treatment was about 2 hours per meeting. The total
meetings of the treatment were 10 meeting, excluding pre-test and post-test sessions. The research
instruments are reading comprehension ability test and respondents’ response questionnaire. The
research procedure of this study is divided into four (4) stages: Preparation stage, Treatment stage,
Data Analysis Stage and Conclusion Stage.

Preparation Stage
The researcher process letter of statement to conduct the research. Then after receiving approval,
she prepared lesson plans, pilot test, respondents', and response questionnaire. Afterward, find a
research location to conduct the research, then arrange a letter of permission with the school.
 Acuity 4(1), 1-9

Before giving the treatment to the actual respondents, the researcher conducted a Pilot Test with a
purpose to validate the test.

Treatment Stage

Two classes were formed: Class VII C was treated using Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha and Class VII
E was treated using STAD. Each of the class was given pre-test before the treatment. Then the
researcher implemented the learning models. After treating the respondents, she distributed
response questionnaire to the respondents.

Data Analysis Stage

In this stage, the researcher calculated the description data from both classes. Then she analyzed
the normalized gain from both classes to test the hypothesis. Afterward, she analyzed the
normalized gain, normality test, homogeneity test, and independent sample test. The last part was
to analyze the response questionnaire.

Conclusion Stage
In this stage, the researcher drew a conclusion from the results of the study. Hopefully, that from
the conclusion, a future researcher could do an in-depth study on both learning models: Ing Ngarsa
Sung Tuladha and STAD.

Results
In order to obtain results from this study, the researcher calculated the data of pre-test, post-test
and normalized gain from both learning models: Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha and STAD. The
following is the table:

Table 4.1 Pre-test, post-test, normalized gain data

STAD Ing Ngarsa Sung
Tuladha
Mean St. Mean St. Deviation
Deviation
Pre-test 50.00 8.567 53.96 7.855
Post-test 61.76 4.073 68.92 6.344
Normalized
Gain 0.2208 0.10587 0.3157 0.13854

As it is seen from the above table, the mean shows that there is increasing scores from both models.
Respondents who were taught using Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha achieved higher scores, the mean
of the pre-test is 53.96 then the mean of the post-test is 68.92, and the result of the normalized gain
is 0.3157. It shows that the students' reading comprehension for those who were taught using Ing
Ngarsa Sung Tuladha learning model is increased on a moderate level. Meanwhile, the respondents
who were taught using STAD achieved lower scores than those who were taught using Ing Ngarsa
Sung Tuladha. The pre-test means 50.00 and the post-test mean is 61.76, while the normalized
 Acuity 4(1), 1-9

gain is 0.10587. It shows that respondents' reading comprehension ability is increased; however,
it falls on the low category.
In order to find out whether there is a significant difference between the two learning models, the
researcher conducted a normality test. The purpose of the normality test is knowing whether the
data population of pre-test is normally distributed or not. After that, the researcher did the
homogeneity test in order to know whether the populations are homogenous or not

Table 4.2 The Normality Test Result for Normalized Gain Score
Label gain Shapiro-Wilk
Statistic Df Sig.
STAD .934 21 .166
Ing Ngarsa Sung .921 25 .055
Tuladha

Based on the table above, it can be concluded that the population of the data is normally distributed
for both classes with the significant value for STAD class was 0.166 > α (0.05) and significant
value for Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha class was 0.055 > α (0.05). Since the data are normally
distributed, then the researcher used Independent Sample T-test.
Table 4.3 Independent Sample T-test
F Sig. T Df Sig. (2-tailed)
Gain equal .834 .366 -2.569 44 .014
variances assumed
From the above table, the significant value of the gain is 0.014 ≤ α (0.05), H 0 is rejected; which
means there is a significant difference between students who were treated using Ing Ngarsa Sung
Tuladha and STAD.
Aside from calculating the data, the researcher distributed the questionnaire to both classes in order
to gain information toward the two learning models. The results show that most of the students
agreed for both models, STAD (85%, 84,6% and 96% based on table 4.7, 4.9 and 4,10) and Ing
Ngarsa Sung Tuladha (85%, 92,96%, 88,5% based on table 4.8, 4.9 and 4.10) in enhancing their
reading comprehension ability. Below are the results of the response questionnaire:
Table 4.4. Students Response for STAD Learning Model
No. Statement Answer Average of Category
Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly Respondents’
Agree Disagree positive
response
1 - 0% 43% 57% 0% 85% Really
43% 57% Like
2 + 46% 50% 1% 0%
96% 1%
3 + 39% 60% 0% 0%
99% 0%
 Acuity 4(1), 1-9

Table 4.4. Students Response for Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha Learning Model
No. Statement Answer Average of Category
Strongly Agree Disagree Strongly Respondents’
Agree Disagree positive
response
1 - 0% 37% 62% 0% 85% Really
75% 62% Like
2 + 18% 67% 11% 3.7%
85% 14.7%
3 + 22% 78% 0% 0%
100% 0%

Conclusions

According to Zare and Othman (2013), reading is a complex and crucial matter for gaining
information, where most students have struggled with text. In order to have good reading
comprehension, students should be able to understand the concept of what they read and they also
should be able to get information on what they read. In this study, the students' enhancement in
reading comprehension ability between the two learning models: Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha and
STAD have shown a significant difference. Additionally, learners liked being taught the two
learning models. Consequently, the researcher recommends that future researcher to conduct an
in-depth study on Ing Ngarsa Sung Tuladha since this learning model is providing ways for
learners to become a good leader. In addition to that English teachers are suggested to implement
cooperative learning models in teaching English especially in enhancing reading comprehension
ability because learners are more comfortable when they have their friends helping them.
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